How to Ensure Visibility in ChatGPT Shortlists and Find Room to Compete
If someone tells you that AI has taken up the market, you’ve got to agree, because it’s true. Now, if it’s bad or good I don’t want to get to that discussion. The point, for so many, mostly customers, is that it has become easier to find what they’re looking for online. From the most famous ChatGPT to Gemini, Google AI Overview, Claude and many more help customers and vendors alike.
A recent survey by B2B marketers on SEMRUSH showed how buying decisions have changed using artificial intelligence.
- 83% buyers said that AI platforms helped them to make the final decision while choosing a retailer.
- 92% customers stated that they found it easy to shortlist sellers of products and services.
- And 97% claimed that they discovered new shops and vendors through AI search.
So the main question here is that is your name in the seller’s list? If it’s not, then you are already running a race you didn’t sign up for.
I conducted an analysis to find a ChatGPT shortlist and use 5 different prompts 20 times to get varied answers. After getting the response I ran a test on it to see the sources and the additional queries on each prompt.
Let’s take a look at how I did it, so you can get an idea about the shortlist you should pick.
What does a ChatGPT Shortlist Mean?
This is a list of potential businesses, pulled from a bigger source of seller’s list. This is what gives you the idea of the best brands out there, so you don’t feel lost searching through an ocean. However, here I’m not actually giving you a list, but showing you the way I did it so you can make your own by giving prompts to ChatGPT.
So, in my research I asked ChatGPT about the best jewelry brands for engagement rings, and through this, I shortlisted 5 to 6 names, so you don’t have to look at 20 names.
I have narrowed down the selection based on categories such as country, design variety and price range. I also categorized them as:
Brand Name: This is the name of the brands, so you can find the desired one, and if you have already heard of a brand already, you might find them here as well.
Design Variety: This section points out the type of collection they have. The column depicted, if they have all readymade designs, customized options, if they only specialize in diamonds or other gemstones, also if they have various metal options.
Best Suitable For: Rings are there, but who fits the best for this brand? That’s what is mentioned in this section. ChatGPT helped me point out if this is for traditional buyers, online shoppers, trendy customers, couples, budget conscious audiences and so on.
Why They Stand Out: Here, you can read about if the brand website has any special features like 360 degree view, try it on, comparison tools, carat size choice, etc.
This is just one prompt that shows you the brands you can choose from and what they are popular for. But there are still challenges when you want to know what type really fits you. The point is when you’re gonna spend money, you must know if it’s totally worth it.
So, here comes the dilemma that AI prompts are not easy to predict. Each try will give you a new answer. Also when you give the same instructions, you still get a different response. This way, you might think this is bonkers! AI has lost its mind! But no, it has no mind at all.
Find the Queries That Creates the Ultimate Selection List
Gone are the days when people just normally typed “diamond engagement rings” and they found some blue links, they clicked on them and found their forever ring. Today, the scenario has changed with AI, as customers give a prompt that eventually starts a conversation, like, “where can I find a marquise cut ring that won’t break the bank?”
It’s just the way a buyer has prompted, therefore it’s impossible for you to understand how they will phrase it. But you can do one thing, that’s reading the response instead. You can ask ChatGPT a customer might ask and then evaluate three points:
- Did the AI platform provide a list?
- Does that list of brands actually include the companies that buyers would consider?
- Does the website offer any special features for buyers?
This way you will easily save time and you’ll get the answer from the list which they will really consider, and the question will be worth monitoring as well.
Test Visibility on Various Topics
When you’re asking just one question, it will not yield a desired response. Why? It’s simple because customers are coming to the query with the same product but their needs are different.
For example, one is looking for natural diamond engagement rings; another is looking for lab-grown and custom choices. Also, one is looking for a famous brand; another is searching for an alternative option. Each of these queries will create many lists, so you just need one question that gives you the answer.
What I did is to categorize in this way:
- Type of Prompt: It can include the best of the best, the overall budget a customer is looking for, alternatives, and if there’s any focused desire.
- What the Customer is Actually Asking: They might want to say, “just tell me the names of the best store,” “which seller suits my budget?” “I already know the names, but is there anyone else like them?” and “I want something special, a specific design that I had in mind.”
- Example Queries: Based on the requirements there will be queries.
The catch here is that AI will not give you the same answer, so it’s important to run the same question multiple times.
Who Finally Gets Included in the ChatGPT Shortlist?
The best thing you can do to get the final result is to ask each question at least 10 times, and use new chat pages each time. Next check how many times every store has appeared in each chat. The big brands will obviously show up in almost each page, while others will be occasional, but bigger doesn’t always mean better.
You’ll see small businesses mentioned as well because they tend to answer specific questions of buyers.
You also have to remember that your brand is listed because AI lists them based on budget, designs and so on. If your company is always mentioned as an affordable brand then it’s a positioning issue, and you need to fix it.
Not Every ChatGPT Shortlist Is the Same
You must have understood by now that AI loves to list the big brand names, and this is what becomes an issue for the smaller and newer brands. The best way to get the alternatives is to check reviews or guide sites. You can look for TripAdvisor, Reddit, Quora and similar places to get the mentions.
Final Thoughts
AI now makes search easier for customers as it narrows down the names to fewer brands. If your company’s name isn’t there, begin with the responses, check the names, how the platform is depicting them and find a way where you can start competing.
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